Keeper of the Phoenix (14 page)

“I’m afraid Neysa and Tansy are right,” Galiena said, entering the room. “You seemed so exhausted when you arrived we used a spell to help you sleep better. I hope you don’t mind.”

A sheen of sweat broke out across Ash’s forehead. “Why did you do that? We never told you to.”

“Ash,” Rhyll said, “they were only trying to help.”

“Trying to help?” Ash had to stop himself from shouting. “Do you know what this means for our people? For Gwaam? Who knows what’s happened in two days. They might all be dead by now.” He paused to count the days out on his fingers. “And it means we only have one day to reach Zadoc’s castle. We’ll never make it.”

“We can still try,” Taine said.

“The fairies aren’t to blame.” Rhyll placed a hand on Ash’s shoulder. “They thought they were doing the right thing.”

Galiena nodded. “We are truly sorry.”

Ash realised the fairy was telling the truth. He suddenly felt mean and foolish.

“I’m sorry,” he apologised. “We’ve been through a lot this last week. I don’t know who to trust any more. I’ve been trying so hard to make everything right and save Gwaam, the phoenix I’m meant to be looking after, and the people back home, but all I’ve done is create a big mess.”

“What is this phoenix you speak of?” Galiena said. “I didn’t realise they still existed.”

“Can we trust you?” Ash said. “I mean, really trust you?”

Galiena took Ash’s hand and led him over to the cushions where she made him sit. She motioned for Rhyll, Taine and her sisters to do the same. “Tell us everything,” she said.

Ash explained to Galiena and her sisters all that had happened since he first found the phoenix egg. Throughout it all, the fairies listened intently, never interrupting, only nodding or sighing occasionally.

When he had finished his story Galiena said, “We know this Wizard Zadoc. All too well. His evil magic has destroyed our kind. We four are all that remain of our family. Though I wish we could do more to help, all I can offer you is this.” She handed Ash a round object. “It is our last wishing stone and contains one wish. I beg you to use it wisely.”

Ash flipped the wishing stone over in his hand. It looked like an ordinary river pebble – brown and smooth. “I can’t take this. It must be very precious to you.”

“Please,” Galiena said. “We want you to have it. It’s our way of saying sorry.”

“Thank you.” Ash pocketed the stone. “I will use it wisely, I promise.”

“It is one day’s journey to Zadoc’s home, Moaning Doom Castle,” Yon said. “You will need to take your courage with you, for fear will be your greatest challenge in Zadoc’s fortress.”

The fairies escorted Ash, Taine and Rhyll outside to the platform.

“We have held you up long enough.” Galiena clicked her fingers. From the forest canopy came a whirring sound. “We wish you good fortune in your quest.”

Food parcels, waterbags and their belongings were pressed into the trio’s arms. After a hasty farewell, the tree’s branches formed into hands that curled around their waists then lowered them to the ground.

Ash set off the moment his feet touched the ground. “We can’t afford to dawdle,” he said. “We have to make up for lost time. We have just over twenty-four hours to save the village.”

“There’s no way we can make up for the two days we lost.” Taine jogged to catch up. “Slow down!”

“I can’t.” Ash kept marching. “The lives of our families and friends are at stake here, Taine. Besides, it’s my job as Gwaam’s Keeper to find and protect him. It’ll be my fault if something bad has happened.”

“Ash, you did everything you could to protect Gwaam,” Rhyll said. “It’s amazing we’ve got this far.”

“I haven’t done enough,” Ash said. “Now, less talking. Save your energy for walking.”

The group soon emerged from the forest. Ash headed straight for the river then turned to follow its path east as Gwaam had told him to.

As the hours passed, doubts began to creep into Ash’s mind.

I’ve pushed myself and the others so hard, he thought. And for what? We’ve only got one day to find Wizard Zadoc and Gwaam and I have no idea where they are. This is impossible!

Ash stopped suddenly. “I don’t know why I’m doing this. We could have failed already.” He gazed across the water as he spoke, unable to look at Taine or Rhyll. “Gwaam may already be dead. And who knows if those griffins are still watching us? We could die out here. If we do, everyone in Icamore is going to die too.”

“Ash, get a grip,” Taine said.

“I’m just being realistic.”

“Don’t lose hope,” Rhyll said. “We’ve got a day to break the spell. We still have a chance.”

Ash snorted. “Barely a chance. I failed to look after Ma while Pa and Duncan were away, which is why she’s stuck back at the village frozen under snow. I failed to look after Trip and got him killed. And worst of all, I failed to protect Gwaam and now he’s back in Wizard Zadoc’s clutches. I’m a complete failure.”

“If you’ve failed, then so have we,” Rhyll said. “And I’m not ready to give up yet.”

“You don’t get it, do you?”

“No,
you
don’t get it,” Rhyll said. “You’ve gotten us this far. You’ll get us to Zadoc’s castle. And I’m not the only one who believes in you. Taine does too.”

Taine nodded.

“What difference does that make?”

“Let me finish,” Rhyll said. “Gwaam also believes in you. He found you, remember?”

Ash crossed his arms defensively. “That was pure luck, or pure
bad
luck, I should say, on his part.”

“What about Wizard Zadoc?” Rhyll said. “He sure believes in you.”

Ash squinted in confusion. “He doesn’t even know me.”

“If he didn’t believe in you, why did he send those griffins?” Rhyll argued. “Who knows what else he’s been responsible for on this journey?”

“I’m not convinced Ellen wasn’t working for him too,” Ash said.

“I think she was just lonely,” Taine said. “And maybe a little strange.”

“You’re right about the strange part,” Ash said. “Zadoc could have been responsible for the giant creatures in the Emerald Forest too and who knows, maybe he sent that spider to kill us. Poor Trip was the one who paid the price.” Ash fell silent and hung his head at the memory of his dog.

“Exactly,” Rhyll said. “So if Zadoc believed for one minute that you were a hopeless failure, that you had no chance of saving Gwaam and his mate, why wouldn’t he simply leave us to the elements?”

Ash shrugged, unable to believe in himself or the idea that he could succeed.

“Why?” Rhyll continued. “Because he’s afraid you’ll reach his castle, that’s why.”

“I don’t–”

“Hey, you two,” Taine cut in. “What’s that?”

Taine pointed to something in the distance. They had been walking so fast and arguing so hard, they hadn’t noticed the landscape changing. No longer were they travelling along an open river flat. Now they were walking through land that gradually grew steeper and rockier.

“Mountains,” Rhyll said.

“We must be close.” Ash’s spirits lifted slightly.

Are we almost there? he wondered. Maybe we
will
find Gwaam and Wizard Zadoc after all.

“Let’s save our energy for climbing, shall we?” Taine said.

Ash smiled reluctantly. “I guess.”

“Right then.” Rhyll waved her hand with a flourish. “Lead the way.”

Ash and the twins climbed the narrow zigzagging path up the mountain, not knowing what they would find at the top, only knowing that they had to keep going.

They walked for hours, pausing now and then to catch their breaths or take a sip of water. The trail became steeper and rockier, the cliff walls steadily growing more sheer as they climbed.

“We’re never going to make it today,” Rhyll said late that afternoon, as the light began to seep from the sky. “And it’ll soon be dark and too dangerous to keep going. One slip and we’ll fall and kill ourselves. This part of the track is wider than other parts we’ve gone past and there’s some shelter from the weather below this part of the cliff.” She indicated a rocky overhang. “Why don’t we camp here overnight?”

As much as Ash wanted to disagree, he had to admit Rhyll was right. They settled in for the night, eating some of the supplies the fairies had given them.

After their meal Taine and Rhyll soon fell asleep. Ash found it much harder to switch off. Throughout the night, he slept fitfully, his dreams tormented by fierce dragons and terrifying griffins. When morning finally came Ash was relieved. The trio shared some of their remaining food and set out once more.

Hours later they reached the summit. As one, they stopped short, their breath stolen by the scenery that lay ahead. The rocky ledge they stood on extended across a deep jagged ravine that dropped down to nothingness. The ravine was a wide, gaping hole filled with swirling mist and howling winds, in the centre of which stood a crumbling needle of black rock. Perched on top of the rock sat a sombre grey castle.

Lining every inch of the castle roof were gargoyles, their mouths gaping in identical silent hisses that displayed their sharp fangs. Instantly, Ash knew where he had seen the creatures before. They were the same ones that had brought the black snow to Icamore.

“This must be it,” Ash said. “The Moaning Doom Castle.”

“I can see why it’s called that,” Rhyll said. “Or hear why, at least. Listen to the wind howling around the castle. It sounds like moaning.”

“And I’m guessing that anyone who dares to come here uninvited meets their doom,” Ash added.

“That’s a good enough explanation for me.” Taine shivered. “I wish that moaning would stop. It’s giving me the creeps. Any idea how you and Rhyll are going to get across?”

There was no bridge, no road, no rope. Nothing.

Ash fixed Taine with a questioning look.

“I thought I could wait here and keep watch.” Taine gave a half-laugh. “Only joking. Of course I’m coming. I’d be too terrified to stay here on my own. Hey, why don’t we use Galiena’s wishing stone to get across?”

“I don’t know,” Ash said thoughtfully. “It seems a waste to use it so soon. Still, we might have to. There doesn’t seem to be any other way across.”

“We’ve only got hours left before the seven days is up.” Taine nodded towards the sun. “Let’s just use it and get over there, I say.”

“Unless …” Rhyll held her finger up as an idea struck her.

“Unless what?”

“Unless I use this.” She reached inside her tunic and pulled out Bath-eth-sheerah’s necklace.

“What good will that do?” Taine said. “Bath-eth-sheerah is days away. She’ll never hear it.”

Rhyll jutted her chin out stubbornly. “Bath-eth-sheerah told me to blow on it if I need her.”

“It’s worth a try,” Ash said. “Let’s take shelter behind those rocks. Zadoc might have scouts or sentries about.”

“Good idea,” Taine said as the friends scurried behind a large black boulder.

Rhyll put the pendant in her mouth and blew. She expected to hear a sound like a whistle, but there was nothing.

Rhyll shook the pendant and blew harder. Still nothing.

“Keep trying,” Ash said.

Rhyll blew on the pendant for what seemed like ages. “It’s no good,” she said.

“Never mind.” Ash sighed. “You gave it a shot. We’ll have to think of another way across.”

The friends sat in dejected silence for several minutes. Rhyll studied the amulet, wondering how to make it work. Taine pulled a handful of nuts out of his pack and munched on them. Ash picked up a pebble, tapping it absent-mindedly on the rock ledge as he racked his brain for another way across the ravine.

“I think it’s time to use the wishing stone,” Ash said. “There’s no other way.” But as he spoke, there came a gentle gust of wind and the sound of beating wings.

Rhyll jumped up and gave a shrill cry. “You’re not going to believe this. Come and have a look.”

Ash appeared from behind the boulder as three giant butterflies lowered themselves to the ground.

“Bath-eth-sheerah, you came,” Rhyll said. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“And I you, brave girl,” Bath-eth-sheerah replied.

Rhyll grinned at the boys. “I told you she’d come.”

“I brought my sisters,” Bath-eth-sheerah said. “This is Nanageesa and Morfylda. We are at your service, brave girl. How may we help?”

“We need to get across this ravine,” Rhyll said. “Do you think you might be able to fly us over?”

Bath-eth-sheerah frowned. Nanageesa and Morfylda exchanged frightened glances.

“Nothing awaits you at the Moaning Doom Castle except heartache, brave girl,” Bath-eth-sheerah said. “Will you not reconsider?”

“We must get to the castle to save our friend, Gwaam, and our families,” Ash said, glancing up at the sun to gauge its position. “They’re all in great danger.
Please
,” he begged. “We only have until sunset. If you’re going to help us, we must hurry.”

“Please excuse us for one moment,” Bath-eth-sheerah said.

The butterflies bent their heads together so they were almost touching.

To Ash, it felt like the butterflies were taking forever to discuss their request. Please, please
please
, he willed them silently.

After a few moments, Bath-eth-sheerah faced Rhyll. “We strongly advise against going to the castle,” she said. “However, if it is your wish, we will take you across to honour the debt I owe you. I must tell you though, that we will not be able to stay. Once you are over there, you are on your own.”

Nanageesa and Morfylda nodded in agreement.

Ash, who hadn’t realised he was holding his breath, let it out in a rush. “Thank you,” he said.

Rhyll nodded gravely. “We understand,” she said. “We know you’re risking your lives to help us and we thank you.”

“Hold on around my middle with your hands,” Bath-eth-sheerah told Rhyll. “And press your knees in firmly so you can grip on with them too. That’s it.”

Ash and Taine copied Rhyll as they perched on Nanageesa’s and Morfylda’s backs.

“This feels strange,” Ash said.

“I agree.” Nanageesa laughed. “I’ve never carried a human before.”

The butterflies fluttered their wings, trying to lift off from the ground. At first, nothing happened. Ash was worried they might be too heavy after all.